Repentance Tower

Dumfriesshire, United Kingdom

The Repentance Tower is a very rare example of a mid-16th century watch tower standing on Trailtrow Hill. Built in 1565 by John Maxwell, the tower takes its name from an inscription Repentance carved on the stonework above the entrance door.

The watch tower remained with the Maxwells until in around 1627 the sixth Lord Herries sold Hoddam Castle and the tower to Sir Richard Murray of Cockpool (Comlongan) Castle. The barony and castle were purchased in 1690 by John Sharpe and remained with that family until 1878.

Castles and fortifications in United Kingdom

Address

Hoddom, Dumfriesshire, United Kingdom

See all sites in Dumfriesshire

Details

Founded: 1565
Category: Castles and fortifications in United Kingdom

Rating

4.3/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Ruthwell Cross (6,8 km)
Hoddom Castle (0,7 km)

Caerlaverock Castle (14,5 km)
Sweetheart Abbey (19,9 km)
Dumfries Museum (18,8 km)
Drumlanrig Castle (40,5 km)
Lincluden Collegiate Church (19,6 km)
Morton Castle (37,7 km)
Lochmaben Castle (11,1 km)
Torthorwald Castle (13,6 km)

User Reviews

dtads (6 months ago)
Nice wee trek up to this tower pity it's locked. Interesting history and great view over to the castle. Worth a wee visit if in the area.

giles dyche (13 months ago)
An interesting tower/landmark that is a bit of a ramble uphill to reach but well worth it for the views across the Solway Firth to the Lake District. There’s an information board with a brief history of the place but no entry to the tower itself. Parking is roadside only and it definitely isn’t wheelchair accessible.

Linda Henderson (2 years ago)
Worth the great hike upthe hill!

Gail Smallman (3 years ago)
I was lead to believe the tower was open to explore but it was padlocked. Great views after that walk up that big hill

Tracy Knight (4 years ago)
Beautiful scenery steeped in history View of the castle below & the old church

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Klearchos Kapoutsis

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The Beckov castle stands on a steep 50 m tall rock in the village Beckov. The dominance of the rock and impression of invincibility it gaves, challenged our ancestors to make use of these assets. The result is a remarkable harmony between the natural setting and architecture.

The castle first mentioned in 1200 was originally owned by the King and later, at the end of the 13th century it fell in hands of Matúš Èák. Its owners alternated - at the end of the 14th century the family of Stibor of Stiborice bought it.

The next owners, the Bánffys who adapted the Gothic castle to the Renaissance residence, improved its fortifications preventing the Turks from conquering it at the end of the 16th century. When Bánffys died out, the castle was owned by several noble families. It fell in decay after fire in 1729.

The history of the castle is the subject of different legends.